If you’re like most men, then you might have some reservations about wearing jewelry. Necklaces definitely require some skill and knowledge to be sure that you pick a fashionable one.
However, professional stylists all agree that men can pull off a good necklace.
It just takes knowing what type of necklace to purchase and wear.
This guide will show what you what to look for when buying a necklace and give you some recommendations for necklaces to buy.
Want to jump right to our top pick? Check out the Bling Factory Miami Cuban Link chain on Amazon here.
Finding a nice chain for guys – what to look for
Men’s necklaces serve a different purpose than women’s necklaces.
A necklace designed for a man will never serve as the centerpiece of an outfit, like it would for a woman. Women’s necklaces are often designed to be the most ornate part of an outfit.
Men’s jewelry works differently. The purpose, with some exceptions, is to complement an already assembled outfit.
The best way to describe it is that the jewelry does not draw attention to itself. Most people should not notice that you have a necklace on your neck.
Note that exceptions do exist to the “unnoticeable” concept. This usually appears as a massive chain-style necklace that draws lots of attention to itself. Again, these big and gaudy necklaces are the exception, not the rule.
On the other side of the exception scale are the very fine and delicate string variety that women usually wear. Some men also wear these. This, again, is the exception and not the rule.
This guide will take into account the many different styles and budgets of our readers. Some of the bigger chain-style necklaces and the thinner necklaces are included.
Ready to check out the list?
Premium Pick: The Bling Factory Miami Cuban Link Chain
This chain is made of sterling silver and contains no nickel.
As a bonus, The Bling Factory manufactures all their products in Italy. This means the manufacturing facility must pass strict European Union regulations regarding the production and materials.
We also like this necklace from a fashion sense.
It has a 9.5mm width, which is a little big. This makes it a necklace for someone wanting to make a statement. People will notice this when you wear it.
Features we like
- 67 grams of pure sterling silver
- Polishing cloth and velvet pouch
- 9.5mm width makes it noticeable when you wear it
This one has four sizes. You can choose from 20 inches, 24 inches, 26 inches, or 28 inches. Those are the most popular sizes, so one of the four should fit your preferences.
The Bling Factory Miami Cuban Link Chain makes an excellent choice for those looking for a more premium choice with sterling silver.
This extra quality will come at a bigger price tag, though. We recommend this chain for those of you who prefer higher quality than the cheaper options.
You can check this neck chain out on Amazon.
Budget Pick: NYC Sterling Pave Figaro
It meets these style requirements because of its 4.5mm width and flat chain design.
It will not serve as the centerpiece on any outfit you wear because of its relative thinness. That said, it has enough thickness that people will notice it on your neck.
The perfect style for a men’s necklace.
Features we like
- An easy-to-use lobster lock closure
- Contains no nickel, so your skin will not turn green
- Can easily attach a pendant to the chain
In addition to that, the Pave Figaro comes in a wide variety of sizes. Sizes start at 7 inches (more of a bracelet) and go up all the way to 30 inches.
NYC Sterling gives you a wide variety of options for choosing a necklace that look good at an affordable price. You can’t go wrong with this as a entry level chain. However, for those looking for something more high end the following might better suit you.
You can find the best price for the Pave Figaro on Amazon.
Classy Pick: Pori Jewelers Anchor Chain Necklace
This is the first gold chain on the list. It is made of 18K solid gold and has a little extra shine because of its diamond cut.
Yes, I know this chain says that it is for women, but hear me out.
It has a 1.0 mm thickness, which makes it a great choice for a discreet chain for men.
Features we like
- 18K solid gold (with certificate of authenticity)
- Italian made
- Thin and discreet
- Great for wearing with a dress shirt
This chain has a two different available sizes: 14″ and 16″. This makes it a great choice if you want to add a pendant.
It also complements a more professional look than the other chains mentioned on the list.
All in all, this chain makes a great choice for those looking for a thinner gold chain. It works especially well if you want to wear a pendant.
If this is the pick for you, find it on Amazon by clicking here.
Honorable Mention: The Bling Factory Cuban Link Chain
That’s not to mention that it also includes a microfiber polishing cloth and a velvet pouch. Using this microfiber cloth will help keep your chain shiny.
Further, the plating on this chain is thick and solid. At this price point, we don’t expect a solid gold chain. This chain does have 25 mills of 24K gold plating that covers the brass core.
Features we like
- 25 mills of 24K gold plating
- Microfiber polishing cloth and velvet pouch included with the purchase
- Large range of available sizes
- Lifetime warranty for discoloration
This chain has 6 different available sizes, giving you plenty of options for choosing a size that you like. It also has a width of 1.5mm, so it is quite thin.
Overall, this link chain is great for someone looking to buy their first chain. You have a lot of different sizes to choose from, it is not particularly thick, and it is affordable.
It also will not turn your skin green like many of the extremely cheap necklaces will.
You can check out this great chain on Amazon.
Honorable Mention: Steelmeup Byzantine Chain
This makes it great if you like a chain that people will notice.
The Steelmeup Byzantine Chain is no different. It is 8mm wide. As the name implies, this necklace is made out of stainless steel, which makes it affordable.
Features we like
- 8 mm width makes it very visible
- Lobster clasp makes it easy to remove
- Stainless steel, so it won’t turn your skin green
This chain comes in 3 different sizes: 20″, 24″, and 28″. A nice range of short necklaces that wrap around your neck and long necklaces that will rest near your breastbone.
The Steelmeup Byzantine makes a nice choice for the right person.
I don’t recommend this for formal occasions, but it makes a great choice for the weekend or casual events. People will definitely notice when you wear it.
If this suits your style, you can buy it today on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these necklaces turn my skin green?
This is probably the most common question people ask before purchasing jewelry — especially lower priced jewelry purchased online.
The short answer is, it depends.
None of the items listed should turn your skin green. However, some people have a natural sensitivity to silver or gold and their skin will turn green no matter the price of the jewelry.
This reaction is caused by the silver oxidizing and tarnishing. This tarnish then rubs off onto your skin and makes it appear green.
If your skin is prone to turning green while wearing jewelry, then focus on jewelry constructed of stainless steel or platinum because it does not tarnish. Stainless steel is much cheaper than silver, but platinum is not.
Are they safe to wear in water?
Another common question. Again, this depends on the necklace you purchase, the type of water, and the frequency it gets wet.
Generally, you should avoid wearing them in the water if possible.
Most likely it will be fine for occasional use in the water.
However, the chemicals and compounds found in water may cause it to fade with prolonged and repeated exposure. This generally happens if you wear it in a chlorinated swimming pool or saltwater.
How do you clean your chain?
If you want your chain to stay shiny, then you must clean it. However, not many people know the proper cleaning technique.
It really is not difficult.
Most of the necklaces on our list come with a microfiber cloth that you can use to clean your chain. You can also purchase a [microfiber polishing cloth on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIS5U4/) for a great price.
These are extremely easy to use. The cream color side is used first for cleaning the chain and then the blue side is used to polish.
Also, do not wash the cloth. It might look dirty, but it still will work fine. Washing the cloth will ruin it.
Looking for more tips and tricks on wearing men’s jewelry? Check out this great video:
Final Thoughts
All in all, the chains listed above make a great introduction into the world of necklaces. They will appeal to men with many different fashion tastes, but come at a price that won’t break the bank.
You can have a big chain to show off to your friends. A thin chain for business meetings. A Byzantine chain is even an option for those of you looking for something a little different.
So click on over and grab your favorite chain today.